HSA to deploy drones in serious workplace investigations under new AirNav Ireland agreement
Memorandum of Understanding enables drone use in controlled airspace including major airports
23 January 2026 | đŸ“§Â editor@breakingground.news
The Health and Safety Authority has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with AirNav Ireland that will allow the Authority to deploy drones within controlled Irish airspace during serious and fatal workplace incident investigations.
The agreement enables the safe and coordinated operation of HSA drones in areas such as Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports, as well as regional airports, with AirNav Ireland providing short-notice flight approvals where required. This will allow trained HSA drone pilots to capture high-quality aerial photographs and video evidence at incident scenes, including locations that may be hazardous or difficult for inspectors to access on foot.
The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for enforcing the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated legislation. Where an incident involves a suspected breach of health and safety law, HSA inspectors may take enforcement action, including the preparation of investigation files for potential prosecutions.
AirNav Ireland, which manages air traffic and related services across approximately 451,000 square kilometres of Irish-controlled airspace under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022, will facilitate HSA operations to ensure drone flights are conducted safely and in compliance with aviation requirements.
Mark Cullen, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said the agreement represents a significant development in investigation capability. He said drones allow the HSA to gather aerial evidence quickly and safely, particularly in environments that may be unsafe or inaccessible following a serious incident. He added that formalising arrangements with AirNav Ireland ensures operations within controlled airspace meet all safety and regulatory standards, strengthening the Authority’s ability to understand incidents and prevent future fatalities.
The HSA has established a regionally based team of trained drone pilots who support inspectors during serious and fatal accident investigations. The use of drone technology is intended to improve evidence collection, reduce risk to inspectors, and enhance the quality of data used in investigation files.
Cathal MacCriostail, Airspace and Navigation Manager at AirNav Ireland, said the organisation is supporting the HSA’s use of drone technology by putting clear and practical procedures in place for operations within controlled airspace. He said the agreement ensures these missions can be carried out safely, efficiently and in full coordination with air traffic services across the State.
